New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has praised Nigeria’s global cultural influence, saying Nigerians have made major contributions to the success and character of New York City.
Mamdani spoke on Saturday at Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day Carnival in New York, attended by Nigerian diplomats, community leaders and members of the Nigerian community.
The Uganda-born mayor received cheers from the crowd when he explained why he could not miss the celebration.
“Somebody asked me if I was going to come to the parade.
"I said, ‘I don’t want any wahala, I have to be here!’” he said.
Mamdani said Nigeria held a special place in African culture and recalled growing up listening to Nigerian music.
“I heard that Runtown was going to be here later, and I was born in Kampala, Uganda, and I grew up listening to ‘From Lagos to Kampala,’” he said.
He also praised Nigeria’s influence through food, music and football.
“Whether it’s Nigerian food, whether it’s Nigerian music, whether it’s Nigerian soccer players, we know that Nigeria is a part of our life,” Mamdani said.
“When we look across this city, we look at what we love, we know that so much of it was made possible because of Nigerian New Yorkers like you.”
Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York, Abubakar Jidda, urged Nigerians abroad to contribute to the country’s development through their skills, networks and investments.
“Wherever we live, we each have a part to play in Nigeria’s progress,” Jidda said.
Nigeria’s U.N. Ambassador, Jimoh Ibrahim, said the diaspora remained an important part of the country’s global strength.
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